Life In The Country: Civil War project has many contributors - and could use more

Oct. 17, 2013

Written by

Certainly one of the most time-consuming and difficult projects I have undertaken in my almost 35 years with The Daily Times has been the now-running series of the Civil War on the Eastern Shore.

What makes this project especially difficult is that I had no prior education on military ranks and offices and knew little about the details of the war in general. Like Civil War researcher Kellee Blake, and my friend and Civil War enthusiast Joe Moore, I came into this believing what they had heard for years, that “nothing happened” on the Shore during the war. Oh how wrong I was to ignorantly hold that position for so many years.

When Mike Kilian, executive editor of the Daily Times, asked me in February to consider doing this series, I told him that I would dig around and see if I could find enough material for a long-term series. What I didn't want to do, I told him, was rehash a half-dozen war stories that have been around for the past 60 or more years. They were the standards that were boring 60 years ago. They were made even made more boring, I was surprised to learn, when the were re-written by local historians and professors. No, I said, the stories must be new and offer as much of the human interest element as possible. They must be “Brice Stump stories.”

Slowly but surely, I found some very neat and interesting stories. The best have come from people who called me with stories to share after reading the first of the series that ran in July. Marvin Tawes of Crisfield called to say he had a peculiar document about the dishonorable discharge of men from Co. K of the 1st Eastern Shore Regiment Infantry Maryland Volunteers. Then Brent Conner of near Crisfield called to tell me of an ancestor who was in Co. K and was a deserter.

This was followed by leads from Jim Dawson of Trappe, and stories suggested by John Zock and Jef Plummer, members of Delaware Grays Camp 2068, Sons of Confederate Veterans in Georgetown. Then my great friend Otho “O.W.” Mears called to tell me of his ties to the Civil War. Fitz Godwin of Onanock wrote to tell me he had a family story tied to the war. When Moody “M.K.” Miles of Saxis called to tell me about more tidbits, based on the extensive and thorough scholarly research of genealogy of Eastern Shore of Virginia families and Civil War soldiers and sailors he and his cousin, Barry Miles, had done, I knew there was no turning back.

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Since July, the leads have been coming in. So much of these wonderful, fresh stories have been made possible because readers had the interest and kindness to write or call and make me aware of untold stories. It is expected that this series will run, each month, through August 2014. The purpose of this column is to encourage readers to help me present great stories and preserve an important part of our history. If you have stories to share, please contact me. If you have photos, please share them. I can copy photos on the spot, so they do not have to leave your possession. Having undertaken this project, I am very much aware that this has lasting and important value to researchers in the future. It also also something readers can become a party to, and to make sure their heritage is saved.

To give readers just a hint of what is involved in putting together the stories on the Civil War I have written to date, consider the names of those who have helped. At the Snow Hill Library, Noreen Godwin and her colleagues have provided research aid. Libby Shockley, almost 100 and of near Snow Hill, shared family tales and photos with me. Jerrry Doughty of the Barrier Island Center near Machipongo, and a living treasure, gave me the “grand tour” of Civil War sites on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and a wealth of information about them.

The esteemed Miles Barnes of the Eastern Shore Public Library shared decades of research with me. Richard Brunkhorst of Easton has opened his extensive Civil War library to me and offered superb advice. Easton resident Eric Drummer remains a solid source for accurate information on the war on the Shore. From Dorchester County, Rhonda Aaron, Mary Handy and Tom Bradshaw have provided information and help with the series. Bill Savage and his brother, Bob, of Accomack County have been most helpful. Kellee Blake, Civil War historian, has been gracious with providing background information and perspectives based on her first-class research.

Margaret Alexander of the Ross Mansion in Seaford gave me unlimited time and access to do a story on the mansion and the role Gov. William Ross played in the war. Jim Bowen provided contacts for research who included Keith Short of Seaford, well known for his interest in all things historical. Antiques dealer and appraiser Charlene Upham, of near Mardela Springs, shared her knowledge and war artifacts. Susanne Coons of near Marion Station has provided information for an upcoming story. Stanley Conner and his son, Brent, and Brent’s cousin, Jeff McCready, all of near Crisfield, are providing material for future stories, as are Jamie Taylor and Jason and Frank Rhodes.

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Truthfully, I have no doubt that I could not write the stories on the war that I do without the support and encouragement of Ray Thompson, director of the Nabb Resaerch Center for Delmarva History and Culture at Salisbury University, and his staff.

Others who keep me going are Aleta Davis of Poplar Hill Mansion, Bill Wilson of the Pemberton Foundation, Gary Bee of Hillcrest Cemetery in Federalsburg and Samuel “S.J” Dishroon of Salibury Monument along with his wife, Wanda, and son, Scot. This list does not include most of those who were interviewed for stories or who opened their collections or allowed access to private graveyards. I am getting help from Dale Foxwell, Elaine Patterson and Russ Dashiell, Eric Jodlbauer, Rusty Barnes, Phil Hesser and Kent Griffith. And yes, there are dozens and dozens of other people who have made it possible to save our history through this project.

I hope those of you reading this column and who can help will please call or write me at the address given at the end of this story. If you have letters, journals, diaries, artifacts, stories or leads, please contact me.